Local Occupy group grows, finds new members

Corporate personhood, the deregulation of Wall Street and the widening gap between American social classes. Occupy Kenai & Soldotna is worried about many things; a common thread among its members.

The group has a lot of concerned people, said Joe Skrha, Kenai attorney.

Local Occupy members met Thursday to discuss future plans and goals. The group, which formed in mid-October, talked about the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, renting a small theater for educational purposes and pushing for change starting at the Kenai Peninsula Borough level.

“I feel like it’s a good time (to) at least start discussing what our ultimate strategy is,” said Joseph Lapp, Occupy Soldotna & Kenai member. “Do we just want to educate people, or is our ultimate goal actually to change local law? If it’s changing local law we need to start thinking strategically about how that piece of the puzzle fits into the bigger picture.”

Success at the borough level — if done right — is achievable, said the members.

Supporters are present at both of the main population centers of the Peninsula, Lapp said.

Occupy Kenai and Soldotna began with just a few members. There are now about 18 residents associated with the group, which meets weekly. It’s taking a break for the holidays, however.

“It’s grown steadily,” said Kate Veh, an Occupy Kenai & Soldotna founding member. “It hasn’t grown fast. The people in our group are concerned enough to the point that they feel the need to be politically active, and they’re not afraid of it.”

Meetings take place at Skrha’s law office in Kenai, which he volunteered for use.

The group now has an official website, occupykenaisoldotna.org. The website was a collective decision. It provides the what, when and why of the group, and it contains links to the movement’s national affiliates.

Patrick J. Koivisto joined Occupy about a month ago. Word-of-mouth about the local group interested Koivisto. He found their Facebook page and immediately joined, and two days later attended his first meeting.

“I wanted to join to voice my opinions about corporate personhood just like everyone else,” said the 31-year-old. “Also, to see if we can do anything locally to help the national effort.”

Thursday’s meeting began with discussion of a newly drafted letter regarding the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012. Skrha wrote the letter—addressed to President Barack Obama—voicing his concern of a specific provision within the act.

Members said they are concerned about provision 1031, authorizing indefinite military detention of U.S. citizens believed to have engaged in terrorist activity.

“If you read my letter over carefully you’ll see there is a reference to the Patriot Act,” Skhra said. “(The American citizens) were promised that the act would only be used for situations involving terrorist activities. The act is being used largely for drug and immigration matters. So, what’s stopping the government from calling drug dealers terrorists, or illegal immigrants terrorists, or whomever. Next thing you know they will be detaining large numbers of Americans, and that’s not right.”

All members in attendance agreed to sign the letter.

Obama on Friday threatened to veto the act unless lawmakers remove the provision. The $662 billion Senate bill passed in a 93-7 vote on Dec. 1. Veh and Lapp discussed plans to show the documentary “The Corporation” at a local theater, possibly the Triumvirate Theatre in Soldotna or a theater in Homer.

The film is a 2003 Canadian documentary that shows the development of the contemporary business corporation, from its original state as a government-chartered institution meant to effect specific public functions, to the rise of the modern commercial institution entitled to most of the legal rights of a person, according to its website.

Members discussed statewide plans, and the formation of a delegate assembly in Anchorage in late January. Representatives from the many groups around the state will be chosen to travel to Anchorage.

Organizers plan to hold the assembly at the A Street Event Hall in downtown Anchorage. The plan is moving forward, as the main groups have signed on, but delegates have not been chosen, Lapp said.

Occupy Kenai & Soldotna’s two-hour meeting was stretched out by political discussion, ranging from local to national. Members said they are enthusiastic about the group’s face-to-face discussions, which are important for planning continued action around the Peninsula.

The next meeting is scheduled for either Jan. 5 or 12. Visit Occupy Kenai & Soldotna’s Facebook page or website for more details.

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The OWS group of the Kenai needs to realize that protesting here is of no value & accomplishes NADA, go to DC.

First off they, the OWS group need to realize that those of us that have, have, because we worked for it, instead of standing around waiting for hand outs from people like OUR Prez. Obama.

It amazed me the number of people that voted for Obama & his Sharing Equally plan, which is the very same plan that many past messiah's have promised freeloaders.

We are at $120 Trillion dollars in debt, not $15 Trillion, OUR ship is sunk, and about to disappear from being a Soveriegn Nation.
You think things are bad now, pay close attention to whats coming and you'll see bad living conditions, conditions of 75% of the Worlds population that makes $2.00 a day, and happy to get that.

How does history show the fall of the Roman Empire, which America is modeled after?
History shows that Rome was consumed with sports & Govt. hand outs, hand outs that caused people to stop working & give up their business' for all those Govt. hand outs.

What part of some one has to work & pay for all those handouts don't ya understand?
If the middle class & upper class stops putting people to work & joins in on the promised Free Govt. support then one must realize its not gonna last very long & everyone will be Sharing Equally, Sharing Nothing Equally that is.

To help understand this i'll do a simple math for you.
If i give you half of my nothing, then you & i each have have of nothing, got it?

This OWS is nothing but a Planned means to push people into a situation where the Govt. can declare Martial Law & send in Blue Hats, UN forces & start killing or arresting anyone they deem a threat, GOT IT?

As i said from Day 1, this promised messiah Obama with his New Hope & Change To Believe In will destroy A United States of America & do away with OUR Constitution for his/their OWO Dream Act, which makes him the OBAMANATION OF DESOLATION.

I would start buying beans & rice with that free hand out money your getting right now as its about to dry up quicker than you might believe or understand that with the flick of an electronic switch by the money handlers of the OWO its over.

With all these smart people having the same idea that the duffus in old time comics who never worked had, which is "The World Owes Me A Living."
I'd suggest getting a job & stop depending on the Govt. with its promise of hope & change, they, these Govts. NEVER SUCCEED, DUE TO LAZY PEOPLE & GREED which usually adds up to Millions of people going to the grave.

P.S. Don't think that the ACLU or any lawyer is gonna be of any help either when the bottom falls out of your Sharing Equally Dream Act, which seems to me to only promote Envey, Striff,Coveting,Anger,Hate and any self serving qualities.

You seem to have quite a harsh opinion about occupiers yet your opinions sound like a regurgitation of other people's views of occupiers. Nothing you have said hasn't been said already, and are completely hollow facts.

Since you think you know some much about US politics here's a few questions for you:

1) What "hand-outs" are the occupiers asking for?

2) Who's paying for the bush tax cuts that are still in effect today?

3) Getting every city in the US to denounce corporate person-hood would not work because...?

4) What legislation has obama supported that will "do-away" with our constitution?

5) Who is planning and hoping for martial law to take effect?

6) How many of the occupiers are unemployed and why do you think OWS' main point is about jobs?

7) What businesses out there are closing their doors to go on welfare?

8) Out of all of the presidents since the 1960's which president has had the highest tax rate on corporations; otherwise known as the top 1% tax bracket?

9) Where did our trillion dollar debt come from and what was our deficit at the end of Bush Junior's presidential term?

10) Which states are in the top ten that receive federal grants? Or as you like to call it, "The sharing equally plan."

11) How does deregulating the financial industry help reduce our deficit?

12) Corporations have enjoyed Bush Junior's tax cuts for over four years now - so, how many jobs have these tax cuts produced?

Turn off the limbaugh radio and the rupert murdoch propaganda machine and try using your own brain to think sometime.

Never have watched or listened to Rush in my 60 yrs, but can see socialist movements all around the World all ment for absolutely NO GOOD, starting back at the tower of Babel 5000+ yrs ago to this very day.
I could go on for hours trying to get people to see that its almost Revelation 13; time.
But, alas, i fear that my knowledge would be wasted on those that will not see the plain truth for a One World Order, not the first time for this Dream either, as we have mentioned above.
Many will not listen even after it has overtaken them they will refuse to see & continue to lead others into the same ditch of destruction that they enjoy.

Time reveals all, and its almost up for many to receive a Revelation, so hang on, and Good Luck with the coming OWO.

So you're a question dodger too eh? You think people asking for hand-outs is what's bringing our country down. To me it's people like you that have an uneducated opinion that is bringing our country to it's knees. If you're a vet or on social security then you're socialist hypocrite. Socialism is another fox news talking point, and at the same time fox news decides to conveniently leave out the definition of socialism.

If you hate socialism so much then don't apply for your PFD next year.

I have yet to fully understand the purpose behind this movement, but this is what I hear. You want some form of social equalization to bring your economic situation in line with that of the "greedy" corporations. So, you want what they have and you don't want to have to work for it. Now, when a corporation's profits fall to the point of minimal profit, then the corp has to cut costs. The quickest way to cut costs is to reduce the work force, thus laying off employees, which is putting people out of work (involuntarily). This contributes to higher unemployment, more government expenditures (unemployment checks) and less spending by the private sector. Local businesses suffer and also have to reduce their work force due to the loss of sales, creating more unemployment. This cycle continues until the bottom is reached, and corp profits begin to increase. Then, the pendulum begins to swing the other way unless there is a road block to the corporations. Trying to break corporations, financially, will only lead to extreme unemployment and poverty. Perhaps you should find out how much money is donated by corporations to fund our charities and special interests.
You are concerned about "provision 1031", "authorizing indefinite military detention of U.S. citizens believed to have engaged in terrorist activity." You should be concerned. We should ALL be concerned. What is the exact definition of "terrorist activity?" What is meant by the phrase: "believed to have engaged?" Will someone who disagrees with Obama be considered a terrorist? Vote for me or there will be no free money.
Be carefull what you hope for. Socialism is right around the corner. It didn't work in the USSR. Why would a sane person think it would work in the USSA?
Also, what the h___ is "corporate personhood"????

No not a question dodger, just smart enough to realize that some questions by some people could never be answered to their satisfaction, and i would be typing on this puter till my screen turns blue trying to answer them.

The answer to all your questions, as well as anyone elses can be found in the Bible.
Answers concerning this Last days push for a OWO, it also shows how the Sheeple/people of the World will rush to its Single OWO leader just as history shows was done to other GR8 BS'ers, with their False Hope & Change to Believe in equality promises, Obama now included in those.

You have the right to express your opinions as we all do FOR NOW, make no mistake about it this OWO,OWS thingy is ment to control & destroy for a visioned number of Elect people in their Utopia Dream Act, not all people are invited.

This National Defence Act is ment to allow the Govt. to chose who is & who is not an enemy of the State/Nation, and all with no limitations or discriminations of Race, Color or Religion or economical class limits either, no one will be free from their desire to control all

Our fight is not against flesh & blood, its against the rulers, the powers, against the worlds forces of this Dark Places, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Namely Satans & his little helpers, which include men & women whom seek to destroy all of Gods Creation, especially mankind & they want to HAVE IT THEIR WAY, which i can relate to when i place self in front.
(sounds like a good line for a burger or anything, as it appeals to self satisfaction & how one deserves his way, his desires, no matter what they might be) Ephesians 6:12

One is either for God or against him & his eternal promises for all of Creation and God loves us all so much that he gave us the picture story in his word, Bible/Torah of whats coming so we could be ready & escape it.

God knew what was coming & knew that we needed a way of escape, thus Yeshua, Jesus, was sent to be the way, the truth & the life, the only way of escape & we all have the right to accept or reject it. John 14:6

At any rate be careful with this OWS/OWO Dream Act as in the End it has Eternal results, in fact all of our choices have eternal results.

If one would be honest one would see & admit that WWIII is about to start & will destroy almost all life on earth.
The book of Revelation shows it will be 2/3rds of everything destroyed & if Yeshua does not return to stop it, all life would vanish from earth.

Thanks for all the info & examples of how it matters not which Political party is in control, Bush or Obama, as they all have the same end game desire of Utopia, with many of us sheeple not included in it.

Less people to share with means more for the rest, sounds like a good thing, unless one is of the not needed or important Sheeple group any longer.

This OWS thing is history; why is the media still covering it? Let's get back to the original "change government" movement that has real ideas... the Tea Party. A little lawyer-led group of 18 people in Kenai is hardly worth mention. Lawyers are half the problem with society anyhow (politicians being the other half).

The website posted in the article has nothing on it. No ideas. No direction. Nothing of value whatsoever. It's just an advertisement pointing to a handful of other OWS websites (all of which are also devoid of any real information) and claiming they are in "solidarity" with the rest of the OWS groups. So, you're all together in your blind mob. Lemmings come to mind.

This is the problem with a leaderless mob. They have no idea what they're doing or why. They just know that they get to show up, yell people down, and break stuff. If you read about how Marxists were able to take over nations and ultimately control all the people, it started by pitting one group against another based on outward appearances. So, you pit rich against poor, black against white, left against right, tea against coffee, etc. It doesn't matter how you divide them up, the key is that you keep each group hating the other groups. You force segregation and hate. This is the only goal of OWS that has been clear all along.

Facts are inconvenient, but everyone needs to know that there is no such thing as "corporate parenthood". Completely fabricated concept of OWS. Try talking to some business minded folks to get an understanding of what a corporate entity is as these OWS folks haven't a clue.

The whole concept of "paying for tax cuts" is false propaganda. Look at it this way; when you go into a store and buy something on sale, who is paying for the price cut? Ever worry about that before? The government is taking far too much in taxes. The tax cuts were put in place to bring the tax rate back down toward where it is supposed to be. Quite frankly, the federal government should be taxing everyone at a far lower rate than it is. The thing about government, if you give them money, they will find stuff to spend it on. Well, they've been spending for far too long. It's time to take away their checkbook. To do that, we give them less money and demand they cut spending.

Another fact... the government is a terrible employer. This is why we should be supporting business and corporations. I had a OWS supporter the other day telling me that we need to run Walmart out of business because they are such a massive and greedy corporation. Really? Did you know that Walmart has put over 2.1 MILLION people to work? Did you know that they donate about $280 MILLION to over 100,000 charities every year? Do you realize that by minimizing the profit per item and relying on massive volume sales, that Walmart has made more stuff affordable for millions more people, especially lower income people? If you guys are so bent about big, greedy corporations, why don't you go pick on Zales for selling little bits of rock to wealthy people for thousands of dollars?

One last thing... can I come to your next meeting so we can have a debate on facts and issues? Or would I just get shouted down and called names like you did to Jerry?

The Patriot Act is actually an Anti-Patriot Act.We have watched as our 1st,4th,5th,etc.Amendments have been circumvented.We have become a country that tortures human beings.you can not blame Obama for starting such action,but you can blame him for prolonging the practice.I never would have believed.Debating what is considered torture on the congress floor.We have hung Japanese war criminals for water boarding our POW's.I guess.Since We are the USA.We can change our minds,and say torture is OK.What a gross display of hypocrisy.Democracy forced by gun point.All of our politician's are in the pockets of big business.So! I would like to know from the occupy group. Just how do you get a crook to alter their greedy behavior? I do not expect them to change the laws to benefit us.Would you give back the special interest (LOBBY MONIES),or fight for reform in all financial matters.Like get rid of the Legal Bribery.

Way to much religious reference.Doesn't matter what verse of the book is mentioned.There has been absolutely NO change for over 2000 years.I expect more of the same.We have given away our country through big business.Communist China owns us.So! Socialism should be no problem.When compared to Red China.They really know how to mistreat their citizen's.Remove ALL professional politician's,and put in their place young new minds.This should remove the good ol boy programs.

Congrates to ALL you Occupy folks of getting the Times Man of the year award.

Leave it to an extreme far left paper thats supposed to share ALL the News Fairly, not just their views, to give this award to a group of people that desire to have what others worked for just for the taking.

This sounds like the reason for Carolers at this time of year the winter solstice in Old England, as well as other countries.
Mobs of people drunk on wine, greed & desire to have what the rich had, would go to the homes of the rich & sing threating songs demanding food & drink as well as other things.
The mobs would not leave until satisfied with their demands or would break in & destroy what others had & take what they wanted without working for it.

Conceited People that are ruled by Greed, Envy, Strife which leads to abusive language, evil suspicions & constant friction between men, other people, which do not hold their views of the World Owes Me A Living.
Such behavior usually leads to conflicts or wars, and the distruction, downfall of Nations, societies.

As i said from Day ONE of the Chosen Ones Presidentcy, with his Sharing Equally, No Work Required, "This Chosen One would lead America into a Civil War or Revolution so as to do away with OUR Constitution which hinders America from joining a OWO."

What a mess we are in here as a Nation, People with this New Hope & Change.

Jerry: I think the Protester being named person of the year has as much or more to do with Arab Spring, Greece, Spain and the Kitchenware Revolution as it does Occupy Wall Street.

As for most of your comments, fragmented as they are, you seem to be reaching a lot with the OWS - Dream Act, and drawing a lot of conclusions based more on what you want to believe than reality. We are not lawyer-led, we are all leaders. We are not Obama supporters, but a group that operates outside the political arena - succesfully at that.

JOAT: I think you may be misinformed about OWS knowledge of the corporate entity. Not sure who you have been talking to, but there will be a public screening of the documentary 'The Corporation' on January 28th at the Triumverant Theatre. It's free. Anybody can attend. And if it's a discussion you are interested in, that will happen after the movie.

Corporate Personhood is the status conferred upon corporations under the law, which allows corporations to have rights and responsibilities similar to those of a natural person.

The Citizens United v. FEC ruling has allowed unlimited corporate influence over the United States Government. With the election coming up, the campaign contributions are expected to exceed $1 billion for the first time in history.

Last election, the Wall Street banks contributed more to the Obama campaign than they had ever contributed to anyone in history, and have already seen massive returns on their 'investment'.

This concerns me, and should concern everyone. Money wins elections, not votes. When elected, who do you think they will represent, you and me or the people that bought their election?

I can see how protestors in other countries have done a great job in pressuring their governments to change. I do not see any such accomplishments produced by the OWS in corporate or government reform. All I see is a bunch of people sitting on the streets and causing disturbances. It is understandable to be mad but, it just doesn’t make any sense to be mad at corporations for dong the one thing they are intended to do – be productive, while at the same time these protestors aren’t producing anything. Have they succeeded in providing a single person any form of employment? I highly doubt it. It is fine to call for reform but I don’t believe this is the way to do it. I also believe that everyone should read both the novels “1984” and “The Hunger Games Trilogy”. Both of these novels are great narratives about out of control governments and uprisings. We need to be very careful about what we choose to fight for, and how we fight for it.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging
the freedom of speech or the right of the people peaceably to assemble & to petition the Government for redress of grievances.

So Love Them or Hate Them those Occupy Wall Street Protesters have every right as a American to be there.

Personally, I hate anything to do with Wall Street & the 1%.
Yeah Yeah ! now rant & rave about the Rich & how great they are. I can't stand them, Never Have & Never Will.

Used to be the crazy guy claiming the "End of the World was near" was carrying a sandwich board and walking up and down the sidewalk. Nowadays they can just sit at the computer and prophesize the end of times. Still crazy, just lazy.

Apparently any,and all politician's Who take monies from any corporate bank,or oil,gas Industry.Will in all accounts show a great return for the benefactors investment(sic) It"s an out,and out BRIBE.But the politicos have made it legal for themselves.Will this practice ever be stopped?You can bet it will not be stopped by the people who made the law.American's are being duped by their own system.Why do we turn a blind eye?Is it because this person is in my political party,and my party can not be wrong,or dishonest?Time to take a real strong look.you may come up with my revelation.They are all LIARS,and THIEVES.

Before lauding Wal-Mart.One must really delve a little deeper into the matter.Yes! Wal-Mart does hire many people,but the great majority are part-time with NO benefits,Low wages,and most of the employees receive food stamps.They are one of the most anti-union employers.A Texas Wal-Mart store voted for a meat cutters union.Wal-Mart fired the meat cutters,and now get their meats pre- packaged by one of the chairpersons own companies- Tyson Foods( Pork,& Beef),and Georges Feed(Chicken,&Turkeys).Yep! A real good corporation.

As a person thats over 60 & one that has been nonunion & then union employed, i have seen a few protests or pickets in my time, some good, some bad.
The thing is that they usually involve a desire by some group to force their way on the majority & change things for what they feel is better, either for us as a person, or as a small group, not the majority.

This is not always the case as history shows and now with the Arab spring occupy movement that has overturned Govts. have now resulting in a far worse governmental systems that are controled by hate for almost everyone thats not a Radical Sharia law observer.

This occupy wall street thing is going to result in a very similar situation in America i do believe, i could be wrong, time will tell within the next few months.

My main point is please make sure of what you believe & understand that things are not always as they seem & we can be sucked into a situation that is actually worse in the end than what we had.

We all have the rights of OUR opinions thanks to OUR Constitution & must realize that from all indications to me this is the one thing that Big Govt. wants to do away with, OUR Rights & Constitution.

When Big Govt. is able to give you everything, then Big Govt. is also able to take it away from you, then what?

Hard times are coming i feel so please be stocking up on rice & beans while you can.

Seriously, how can you OWS folks sit there bemoaning all corporations as the most evil concept on the planet and in your very next breath talk about unions like they are a God send?

Unions ARE corporations. Unions are amongst the greatest political power hogs in the nation. Unions steal money from workers to pay off politicians to get regulation and project kick backs for their own benefit. Unions don't produce anything; they are nothing but political power and money laundering. Unions are run by people as shady as Al Capone (who was a union boss in his time).

No corporation, partnership, or even sole proprietor should be forced to have to use corrupt unions for labor. That's the key to a free society. The labor market must be free and open to market forces just like the price of goods and services sold. Price fixing at either end doesn't work.

If you don't like Wal-Mart (or any other company), then don't shop there. That's how you have total freedom of speech (spending money is considered "free speech" as has been upheld by the court). If the majority of people don't like Wal-Mart, and don't shop there, then their business will not succeed. However, it is quite clear that a lot of people do like Wal-Mart and they shop there. Wal-Mart is one of the most successful businesses on the planet.

A business need not hire people for a specified number of hours or provide a particular benefits package. If employees are looking for those kinds of things, then they are not going to work at Wal-Mart. Then again, if you're unemployed, then Wal-Mart is better than nothing, isn't it? It's just like working at McDonalds or Safeway or Fred Meyer or any other such chain store. Unless you have the skills to work up into a management level position, you're only working there to get a paycheck until you can find something better.

The key here is that it is up to each individual person to find their own "something better". Out of over 2,100,000 employees at Wal-Mart, I'm betting that there are some folks who like it there and consider it a career path. I bet there's also a bunch of former Wal-Mart employees who have moved on to other things, thankful that a mass employer like Wal-Mart was there to give them a short-term job while they found their way.

When I was a kid, I did time in everything from canneries to Sadler's and several other smaller businesses around town. I never went in expecting anything more than a paycheck. I never expected to stay there for a career. I made money to cover expenses, put myself through our local college, and continued to work hard to make my own way. Because of that, I'm now in a pretty comfy spot with one of the biggest corporations in Alaska and have 6 figures on my annual report to the IRS. I've got all the benefits and then some. And guess what? I've never, in my entire life, worked for a union. I got here on my own. And it's better that way.

The answer to all your perceived problems... national Term Limits while holding all members of the government to the same legal standards as the general population. So, stop targeting corporate America. Corporations don't make or change laws and regulations. Politicians do. How about ya'll head down there and "occupy" our nation's Capital building? That's where the problems are. Not at the Port of Anchorage or the intersection at the Y.